Return on Investment (ROI)

Search Dictionary

Definition of 'Return on Investment (ROI)'

**Return on Investment (ROI)**

Return on investment (ROI) is a measure of the profitability of an investment. It is calculated by dividing the net profit (or loss) from an investment by the cost of the investment.

The formula for ROI is:

```
ROI = (Net profit / Cost of investment) * 100%
```

For example, if an investment costs $100 and generates a net profit of $20, the ROI is 20%.

ROI is a useful metric for comparing different investments and for making decisions about where to invest your money. It can also be used to track the performance of an investment over time.

There are a few things to keep in mind when calculating ROI. First, you need to make sure that you are using the same time period for both the net profit and the cost of the investment. Second, you need to make sure that you are using accurate numbers for both the net profit and the cost of the investment. Third, you need to be aware of the fact that ROI is a historical measure and does not guarantee future returns.

ROI is a valuable tool for investors, but it is important to use it wisely. By understanding how to calculate ROI and by considering the limitations of the metric, you can make better investment decisions.

**Paragraph 2: The importance of ROI**

ROI is an important metric for investors because it tells them how much they are earning on their investment. A high ROI means that the investment is profitable, while a low ROI means that the investment is not profitable.

ROI can be used to compare different investments and to make decisions about where to invest your money. For example, if you are considering investing in two different stocks, you can use ROI to compare the profitability of the two stocks. The stock with the higher ROI is the better investment.

ROI can also be used to track the performance of an investment over time. This can be helpful for investors who want to see how their investments are performing.

**Paragraph 3: The limitations of ROI**

ROI is a valuable metric, but it is important to be aware of its limitations. First, ROI is a historical measure. It tells you how much an investment has earned in the past, but it does not guarantee future returns.

Second, ROI does not take into account the risk of an investment. An investment with a high ROI may also have a high risk.

Third, ROI is calculated using a single number. This can make it difficult to compare investments with different risk profiles.

Despite its limitations, ROI is a valuable tool for investors. It can be used to compare different investments, to track the performance of an investment over time, and to make decisions about where to invest your money.

Do you have a trading or investing definition for our dictionary? Click the Create Definition link to add your own definition. You will earn 150 bonus reputation points for each definition that is accepted.

Is this definition wrong? Let us know by posting to the forum and we will correct it.